My Cousin Augie: A car bomb, a mob boss, and a search for answers
On June 30, 1978, a blast shook downtown Milwaukee. To this day, the car bombing of Augie Palmisano remains unsolved.
Ever since she was a child, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigative reporter Mary Spicuzza has heard stories about “Cousin Augie.” Many suspected Milwaukee crime boss Frank Balistrieri was behind his death.
Forty-five years after the crime, Spicuzza set out to uncover the truth behind her cousin's murder.
Explore the project
The investigation: My cousin was killed by a car bomb in Milwaukee. A mob boss was the top suspect. Now, I’m looking for answers.
The podcast: Coming July 10. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Dig deeper
The undercover agent: How FBI agent Joe Pistone, better known as Donnie Brasco, helped infiltrate the Milwaukee Mafia
The prosecutor: How John Franke prosecuted Frank Balistrieri and dealt a crippling blow to organized crime in Milwaukee
The researcher: Gavin Schmitt spent years researching the Milwaukee Mafia. Here's what he learned about Frank Balistrieri and more.
The first conviction: A renowned attorney. A powerful mob boss. The untold story of how Franklyn Gimbel won an early case against Frank Balistrieri
Explore the archives
The Balistrieri Tapes: Read excerpts from the Milwaukee Sentinel's twelve-part series about Balistrieri originally published in 1988.
Watch the video: Declines and glorious comebacks are all part of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
Photo gallery: Unsolved murders linked to Frank Balistrieri
Then and now: Key places in the Augie Palmisano story
The team behind the project
Reporting: Mary Spicuzza
Executive producers: Bill Schulz, Gina Barton
Investigations editor: Daphne Chen
Additional editing: Tom Koetting and Sam Roe
Executive editor: Greg Borowski
Photography: Mike De Sisti
Photo research and editing: Lou Saldivar, Bill Schulz, Sherman Williams
Digital design and illustration: Andrea Brunty
Social media, engagement and promotion: Ridah Syed
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: My Cousin Augie: A car bomb, a mob boss, and a search for answers
